Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

MOSCOW, June 13. /TASS/. Moscow and Seoul do not accept the self-declared nuclear status of the DPRK, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said following the talks with South Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on Monday.

"We have confirmed the adherence to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stressed Russia and South Korea do not accept the self-declared nuclear status of the DPRK," Lavrov said. "We consider it unacceptable to turn the region into a confrontation area, as all problems should be settled by negotiations.".

Economic contacts

Lavrov also said that Russia and the Republic of Korea are interested in supporting the dynamics of economic contacts.

"We had very fruitful talks, our relations are at a very advanced stage," he said. "Last year, we marked the 25trh anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, and over the past years we achieved major success in all spheres of cooperation."

"Both sides have expressed interest in developing close political dialogue to bring our relations to a qualitatively new level and the interest to support the dynamics of economic contacts," the Russian foreign minister said.

"We have discussed certain steps and measures to raise effectiveness of the trade and economic cooperation," Lavrov said. "We paid special attention to implementation of major investment projects, stressing good opportunities in the Far East and in the free port of Vladivostok."

Cooperation in the electric energy and in the oil and gas sector

Russia and the Republic of Korea intend to develop cooperation in the electric energy and in the oil and gas sector, Lavrov said.

"On the stage of implementation or advance planning are projects in the spheres of electric energy, in the oil and gas sector, in fishery," he said.

Meeting of the Russia-South Korea intergovernmental commission

A meeting of the Russia-South Korea intergovernmental commission is due in August in Seoul, Russia's Foreign Minister said.

"We have agreed on all these issues (of cooperation) to have good detailed consultations so that to get well prepared for the meeting of the intergovernmental commission, which will take place this August in Seoul," he said.

Free trade zone

The Eurasian Economic Commission and South Korea will continue contacts on establishment of a free trade zone between the Republic and EAEC, Lavrov said.

"From both sides was confirmed support for contacts, which have been established between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Republic of Korea to discuss a possible free trade zone," the foreign minister said.

"We have also discussed harmonization of various initiatives in the integration sphere, since the suggestions from the Russian president and from the president of the Republic of Korea on promotion of the Eurasian cooperation, add to each other to a big extent," Lavrov said.

Further contacts at highest level

The Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea will improve the cooperation in the electric energy and in the oil and gas sector, Russia's Foreign Minister said.

"We have fixed the agreements to continue close consultations between foreign ministries," he said. "This plan extends for 2016 and for 2017."

"Generally speaking, the agreements reached during the visit of President (of Russia Vladimir) Putin to the Republic of Korea in November, 2013, are being implemented," the Russian foreign minister said. "We have agreed to continue efforts in this direction, and also discussed a new contact at the highest level.".

Nuclear status of DPRK

Moscow and Seoul do not accept the self-declared nuclear status of the DPRK, Lavrov said.

"We have confirmed the adherence to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stressed Russia and South Korea do not accept the self-declared nuclear status of the DPRK," Lavrov said. "We have stressed importance of the UN Security Council’s resolution 2270 in the interests of influencing Pyongyang and we shall insist it is observed fully."

"We consider it unacceptable to turn the region into a confrontation area, as all problems should be settled by negotiations," Lavrov said. "In this context, we have discussed in detail the issues related to formation in North-Eastern Asia of mechanisms to provide peace and security.".

DPRK's nuclear tests

The activities of the DPRK threaten security of the international community, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said on Monday.

"The DPRK's nuclear problem is the biggest problem for improvement of the multifaceted cooperation, for making the region peaceful and prosperous," he said. "South Korea and Russia have confirmed the DPRK's fourth nuclear test and the launch threaten the international community."

The South Korean foreign minister said Pyongyang had picked a wrong route trying to become a nuclear power and obtain a developed nuclear potential.

"The DPRK is moving backwards by not stopping its aspirations to obtain nuclear potential," he added.

The foreign minister appreciated Russia’s adherence to "thorough and complete observing of the UN Security Council’s resolution 2270 on North Korea and the fact the Russian side does not intend recognizing the DPRK’s nuclear status."

"We consider it necessary to direct the DPRK into a correct route by joint efforts of the international community in the support for full observation of the UN Security Council’s resolution.".

Сooperation with Russia in the Far East

Seoul is interested in development of cooperation with Russia in the Far East, Yun Byung-se said.

"We have agreed to raise to a new level the synergy effect between the Eurasian initiative and the policy of developing the Far East and Siberia, and, among others, we have agreed the Far East region contains a big potential for an active economic cooperation," the South Korean minister said. "For that, both sides will be using actively the potential of the Russian - South Korean investment platform, and will improve cooperation in development of the Far East in the spheres like fishery and in other spheres.".

New directions in the economic cooperation

Russia and the Republic of Korea will develop new directions in the economic cooperation, South Korea's Foreign Minister said.

"Our relations should have more substance," the South Korean minister said. "Over six months after the summit in November we see development of contacts at various levels. For example, in April we had a conference of Eurasian parliamentary speakers, which opened new horizons for communication between legislators of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea. Humanitarian exchanges between our countries are at the highest level and make 300,000 people a year."

"As for practical economic cooperation, both sides have agreed we shall cooperate not only in the automobile industry, electronics, energy and agriculture, but also in development of the Arctic, in medicine, ecology and in other new directions, thus building up trade between the countries," he said.

"We have agreed to raise to a new level the synergy effect between the Eurasian initiative and the policy of developing the Far East and Siberia, and, among others, we have agreed the Far East region contains a big potential for an active economic cooperation," the South Korean minister said. "For that, both sides will be using actively the potential of the Russian - South Korean investment platform, and will improve cooperation in development of the Far East in the spheres like fishery and in other spheres."

"Our government will be working jointly on ways to develop cooperation, including in the intergovernmental commission at the level of deputy prime ministers, and the commission's next meeting is due in August," he said. "And we shall participate actively in the second Eastern Economic Forum at the invitation from the Russian side - which is due in September in Vladivostok."

"Our talks have become a new benchmark in improvement of the strategic partnership between the countries," he said. "I expect Minister Lavrov will pay a visit to the Republic of Korea at his convenience.".

Step to improve strategic partnership

The talks in Moscow will favor improvement of the strategic partnership between Russia and the Republic of Korea, South Korea's Foreign Minister said.

"Our talks have become a new benchmark in improvement of the strategic partnership between the countries," he said. "I expect Minister Lavrov will pay a visit to the Republic of Korea at his convenience.".